Established in 1988, Colin Ng & Partners (CNP) is consistently identified as being among the top full-service law firms in Singapore by leading legal publications such as the Legal 500. The firm prides itself in its consultative approach, which has helped to cultivate a unique firm culture that is conducive for every member’s development.

Quek Li Fei, Partner

We have always focused on providing a wide range of legal services cost effectively and efficiently. Efficiency, Quality and Service are what CNP has been and continues to be known for.

We identify potential areas of opportunity and growth and respond quickly to meet our clients’ requirements for legal services on the domestic and regional fronts, balancing and leveraging on opportunities and harnessing diverse talent from many countries. We are an equal opportunity employer and recognise that innate talent and experience in a lawyer are invaluable qualities in legal practice today which transcends borders. Working in our various regional practice groups with their country specific knowledge and skill sets, as well as working in tandem with our Singapore lawyers in our industry specific practice groups, we bring a unique and valuable perspective to our clients in meeting their needs for legal services and advice.

We believe in the importance of relationship building on all fronts, with our clients, with our global network of foreign legal counsel with whom we work and with our lawyers and staff. We have a vigorous continuing legal education (“CLE”) program for our lawyers aimed at deepening their practical knowledge and sharpening their practice skills to equip them to provide the high quality of legal services our clients have come to expect from us.

What are the firm’s expectations of pupils?

We like our pupils to feel that they are part of our Firm from the start of their pupillage. This means that we hope they will not only be hardworking, conscientious and diligent during their pupillage in relation to their work, but also that they are able to articulate their thoughts, concerns and talk with us so that we can listen and understand their needs and concerns, address these effectively and in the process, continue to improve our pupillage program. An agile mind, enthusiasm and keen willingness to learn and pick up new skills to meet emerging challenges in the legal services landscape are very useful attributes in working with CNP.

Our pupils are invited to take part in the various activities and initiatives of the Firm, including attending our regular CLE classes, training classes on efficient use of our IT systems and research facilities, in-house sporting, holistic and personal development activities, including weekly Yoga sessions, weekly Pilates sessions, CNP Recreation Club, CNP Green, wine appreciation sessions, all held in our Penthouse.

 

Claudine Orzal Montenegro, Foreign Legal Advisor (Corporate/Commercial)

Being accepted as one of CNP’s foreign legal advisors from the Philippines is an honour for me and my family. As part of the firm now for more than three months, I came to realise that CNP has, indeed, a wide breadth of capabilities in all areas of law practice. CNP’s capabilities are enhanced by the expertise, experience and diversity of the Partners and fellow lawyers in all practice groups and areas.

How is Practice here different?

Practising law in CNP is very different compared to practising in the Philippines. As a practising lawyer in the Philippines, I dealt mostly with local companies and individual clients applying mainly Philippine laws and procedures. I handled pro bono cases and represented various local clients, such as Filipina women, in local courts. If time allows, I plan to continue involving myself in pro bono legal services in Singapore.

CNP, with its regional and international capabilities, has introduced me to legal transactions applying not only Singapore laws and procedures but also laws and procedures from other jurisdictions as well.

 

Wong Shyen Sook, Associate (Litigation)

“It should not matter whether it is a small, medium or big law firm, what is most important is to find the best fit for yourself and to join a firm which recognises your potential; a firm which is willing to nurture and develop a young aspiring lawyer such as yourself and to accelerate your progress beyond what you think you are capable of.”

 

Bill Jamieson, Senior foreign Legal Advisor (Corporate/Commercial)

“I used to work in an offshore firm. I find that the corporate work I handle in Colin Ng & Partners is no different from that in an international firm. The strength here is that we are able to offer services attuned to the local conditions of financial capital markets.”


Luo Ling Ling, Pupil

“CNP appreciates the pupil’s flexibility in customising his or her work profile while encouraging the pupil to also work within different practice groups. The firm has shown respect in acceding to individual preferences and allows a lot of freedom for a pupil to choose which partner to work with. This would not have been possible if I were doing pupillage in a larger law firm, which would dictate specialisation prematurely in my legal career.

On a personal note, I was worried when I found out that I was expecting my second child earlier than originally planned. However, CNP was very supportive on hearing the good news. It is definitely a place where I would want to stay, beyond pupillage.”